UFC Fight Night 30: Undercard Predictions

Michael Kuiper (12-2) vs. Brad Scott (8-2)

England and Holland have faced off countless times on the pitch but a meeting in the Octagon is fairly rare. Scott, a Brit who hasn’t taken to the cage since falling in a final on the Ultimate Fighter: Smashes, can boast finishes in all of his wins. Kuiper is also more than familiar with putting foes away, having seven submissions and four TKOs to his credit. It’s an evenly-matched effort on paper and should play out as such with action unfolding on the ground and while standing. Kuiper’s slight edge in experience and size should help him deliver in the end but victory is far from guaranteed. / PREDICTION: Michael Kuiper def. Brad Scott via Split Decision

Jim Hettes (10-1) vs. Robert Whiteford (10-1)

Hettes was the “next big thing” until he was outclassed by Marcus Brimage more than a year ago. It was his last appearance in the Octagon and erased a lot of the hype brought on by previous triumphs over Nam Phan/Alex Caceres. Whiteford is making his UFC debut in the bout but he’s won ten straight since falling in his professional unveiling and shouldn’t be overwhelmed by the experience. However, he should find more difficulty in dealing with Hettes’ BJJ prowess and ultimately succumb before bout’s end. / PREDICTION: Jim Hettes def. Robert Whiteford via Submission

Andy Ogle (9-2) vs. Cole Miller (19-8)

It’s tough to root against either fighter. Both are passionate pugilists who work hard, compete carefree, and leave it all in the Octagon. Their clash won’t be Diego Sanchez vs. Gilbert Melendez v 2.0 but fans can count on some gutsy exchanges and closely-contested scrambles on the mat based on each being particularly fired up. Miller is coming off a controversial decision loss and could be fighting for his job after dropping 3-of-4 fights, while Ogle is an Englishman with a chance to entertain his own. Ultimately, Miller’s range and technique on the ground should make the difference in the match-up and deliver him a win. / PREDICTION: Cole Miller def. Andy Ogle via Submission

Rosi Sexton (13-3) vs. Jessica Andrade (9-3)

The UFC doesn’t have a ton of female bantamweights under contract but don’t confuse that with Sexton or Andrade being able afford a second straight loss. In particular, Sexton’s need to win is high since she’s 36 and undersized for 135 pounds. Still, Andrade was TKO’d in her UFC debut and another stoppage could spell doom for her immediate future in the Octagon. As such, the duo should come out swinging. If Sexton is smart – and she does have a PhD so the odds are good of that – she’ll focus on scoring a takedown as quickly as possible. She won’t be able to trade strikes with Andrade without absorbing damage but she can out-class the Brazilian finisher on the ground and work her way towards a hometown decision. / PREDICTION: Rosi Sexton def. Jessica Andrade via Unanimous Decision

Luke Barnatt (6-0) vs. Andrew Craig (9-1)

Craig is a huge step up in competition for Barnatt whose only fight in the UFC thus far involved an outpointing of his since-released TUF 17 peer Collin Hart. The 27-year old Texan already owns Octagon success against Kyle Noke, Rafael Natal, and Chris Leben. Though they may not be a Murderers’ Row, all three are accomplished competitors and far better than anyone Barnatt’s seen action against. The lanky Brit might be able to use his reach to keep Craig at bay with jabs but the minute “Highlight” catches him with a combination Barnatt is in trouble. / PREDICTION: Andrew Craig def. Luke Barnatt via TKO

Al Iaquinta (6-2-1) vs. Piotr Hallman (14-1)

It’s time to find out if Iaquinta’s impressive outpointing of Ryan Couture after a yearlong layoff was the product of Cuture’s lack of preparedness/ability or the TUF 15 finalist’s actual potential. Hallman has finished all but one of the opponents he’s beaten and is coming off a submission win over Francisco Trinaldo in his UFC debut with the added pressure of the battle being in Brazil to boot. Also impressive, he has a near-even split between submissions/TKOs. Iaquinta’s best bet is to make the bout ugly and be prepared to go fifteen hard minutes. If he can maintain his cardio and grind Hallman up against the cage, or take him down in each round, Iaquinta can definitely earn a decision. Otherwise the fight is Hallman’s for sure. / PREDICTION: Al Iaquinta def. Piotr Hallman via Unanimous Decision

Fans were spoiled last weekend with UFC 166 thanks to the lineup’s lengthy list of high-profile competitors. While UFC Fight Night 30 doesn’t boast anywhere close to the same star-power, that doesn’t mean the show won’t be equally exciting. Such should certainly be true when it comes to the evening’s undercard action, as the prelims feature a tilt between two talented females, a handful of TUF alumni, and a few U.K. products out to entertain their own in England. (Photos by USA Today Sports Images)